Damai Pri Sch - The Reunion

So the day has finally come. It was to be the day of the reunion... for the folks that used to study in Damai Primary School at Bedok Reservoir Road. Me, being the organizer for this event, had to do a bit of homework and preparation work to make sure everything went smoothly.

Initially, I had managed to get about 10 people who's confirmed attending. But in the end, only a grand total of 7 turned up. 3 had flown me aeroplane, but its OK. I believe more people will try to make it the next time round. Maybe they really had something on, I hope. =D

We met at city hall MRT control station, then proceed to have dinner at Marche Suntec - the only place I could think of to accomodate the expected crowd of 10 people. LOL. Did I tell you how much I hated the food at Marche? It was decent at best, but the concept and layout of the restaurant makes for an ideal gathering place. So I had to settle for them, unless I can find an alternative or somebody has a suggestion on a nice cosy place big enough to accomodate a bigger turnout next time.

Anyway most important thing is not the food, but about the catching up of yester years. Like how much everybody has changed in terms of looks or personality, schools they went to after PSLE before finally ending up with the company they're working for now. Of course we also progress beyond the usual boring questions and brought back memories of the things we used to do in primary school, and incidents that made us laugh. From teachers to 'outstanding' individuals, we didn't hold back on the stories each of us had to tell, and it was an encouraging sign that everyone had more things in common than I thought previously. Thus, it didn't turn out that awkwardly.

We also recalled all the names that we could think of, and wrote them down on a notebook, along with details on how this particular person could be reached for the next gathering. We are expecting a better turnout and this inaugural meeting is just a stepping stone for bigger things to come.

Lastly, a parting shot for the peeps who turned up!

The rose among the thorns...

From left: Sherwin, Junzhong, James (Malau), Jingyu, Zhennan, Jianhe, ME!

I know it looks damn pathetic for a "reunion" - but trust me, its gonna get better... and BIGGER!

Bike road trip JB Sat 7th OCT '06

Freakin' shagged, been riding from 7:30am in the morning till I reached home at about 10:30pm. More than 12 hours man!!!

For this trip, we covered JB in Malaysia. All the way up to Batu Pahat, while visiting Pulai and Pontian, riding along the western coast of Malaysia.

First stop at the Pulai waterfall, I already kenna accident. Bakero! Can't blame me, first time go touring... somemore is ride up the hills and when I had to stop on a slope, I made the mistake of turning my handlebar. Combined with the laws of gravity, my bike toppled on her left and luckily, it didn't crush my legs. Only God knows how my legs were saved. I escaped with a few grazes on my ankle and some impact I think, cos' my legs were feeling abit weird. Damn, what a noob I am... I will learn from this mistake!

Waterfall!

Thanks to Lawrence and gang, who quickly rushed to my aid. They helped me push my bike up, and managed to start my bike after a while because of the spilled petrol. My bike was also lucky to escape with a few scratches despite hitting the tarmac. Just some on the left side mirror, handle bar balancer and of cos', the crash bar, which prevented some major damage to the engine. But being the perfectionist that I am, I will definitely wanna have them replaced or at least touched-up.

Then we had lunch at a coffee shop in Pontian (?). Food was not bad, and it was like dirt cheap. Regret I never ate more, cos later have to eat the sucky A&W in JB for dinner. After eating at A&W's, I finally understand why they don't have any more outlets in Singapore. LMAO!!! In anycase, it was because I'm sooo hungry that's why I gobbled them all up.

Next up, was a looong ride to Batu Pahat, where we decided to drop by the damn lok cok Wet World. There wasn't a single soul there except for the keepers of the place. We bought some drinks to replenish ourselves, took a short rest before deciding on our next course of action.

The riders taking time out

We also visited some hotspring in JB. Nothing much to shout about that place. Looks pretty run-down and is patronised by few people, mostly from nearby kampungs I think. Along the way, we witnessed the aftermath of a deadly car collision. Shattered glass everywhere along with keropoks that were meant for the festive season; the car was crushed beyond recognition and the lorry lying in the drain was only slightly damaged. Most sickening sight, I reckon.

The guys enjoying the hotspring...

By this time, we had covered almost 300km worth of road. The journey home via the North South highway was pretty smooth once we turned out from the busy towns. For the first time, I'm able to whack my bike to its max capacity... well, close to it anyways. I went up to 175km/h on my speedo, almost clearing the meter. The roar of the engine and the onrushing windblast made the ride almost orgasmic, save for the loud noise generated inside the helmet. Which is a lucky thing I wore my full face nolan, cos' I suppose it helped buffers the noise by a good measure.

I finally reached home at about 10:30pm. At this time I was almost half dead; my legs were aching, my hands trembling from clutching in/throttling and my head was throbbing from wearing the helmet for so bleedy long. But it was fun nevertheless. I'm already looking forward to the next trip.

Till the next time!

Road trip on my bikey!!!

Wooo~

In almost about 5 hr's time, I will get up to shit in the morning, and then its off to across the causeway to JB on ma spankin' cool bike! Waahh, first virgin trip up north... damn excited man! Will be joining like-minded enthusiasts exploring different places in JB, I just hope the weather will be good tomorrow man! That's all I'm asking!

I will bring my trusty lumix along, shall post some interesting pictures for all to see!

さようなら！

Today marks a new beginning for me, under my new boss, who's a nice guy also... blessed I am. But I won't forget my previous boss who personally handpicked me from among the score of candidates vying for this elusive position of mine. Of all people, he had to pick a greenhorn, me - a total freshie who has no prior experience and qualification to take up this post. I could have never hoped for a better job than this. One that allows me a large degree of freedom and the opportunity to travel around. In other words, my dream job man. And I have a great boss who's willing to teach me the ropes, and fool around when its time to let your hair down. He's almost like a friend to me, but I still respect him cos' he's my boss afterall. So when I first heard he was going to be posted back to Japan, I was sad naturally.

And it culminated to an end last saturday. But before that, we had one bomb of a dinner at Pan Pacific hotel for 2 table-fuls of us, including the logistics and technical members - solely organized by me of course. I had chosen the restaurant because he can see the downtown area and city lights for the last time, at least for now. Hehe. On saturday, after I sent my bike for her regular maintenance (damn the rain!), I went to pick up both my bosses, old and new for dinner. After which, we proceed to drive down ECP en route to Changi airport. How he must have had mixed feelings when driving down memory lane, this very familiar route he used to take while going on frequent business trips...

So when it was time for him to board the plane, the few of us (I was the only local) who bothered to come to send him off bade farewell for the last time. We exchanged friendly banter and wished him all the best to his career in Japan. For me, I gave him a firm shake of his hands and told him I will see him in Japan soon and asked him to remember to take care of me when he becomes ぶちょう (department head). With a laugh of course... not that easy in corporate Japan yeah? And his words to me was to show him I could raise my game to another level and in his words "show me your power". LOL.

As he trudges his weary frame through the immigrations, I could tell that those were with heavy steps that he took to leave paradise that is Singapore back to the drudgery of routine life in busy Tokyo downtown. One can only imagine how he is feeling at that point in time.

Soon after clearing the immigrations, he turned back to look at us for one last time. With a wave of his hands, and an almost expressionless face that is associated with all Kyushuu Japanese guys (strong and silent type according to him), he said goodbye... almost alien to me considering the fact that he's always had that funny rubbery look on his face.

Real men don't shed tears, I managed to bottle up my feelings well but I could feel that lump in my throat for having lost a good boss whom I could talk to with almost about anything.

Thank you for everything.

ほんとうにありがとうございました、堀さん！